Desexing is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. It prevents unwanted pregnancies, reduces behavioural problems like roaming and aggression, and also helps prevent medical issues such as uterine infections, mammary tumours and perianal tumors in female dogs.
However, while the desexing procedure is relatively simple and safe, it is still a surgery that requires your pet to be under general anaesthetic. This means that some pain and discomfort is to be expected.
Preparing for the Procedure
Desexing is a major surgery and it’s best to prepare your pet for it as much as you can. This includes taking them to the vet for a health check a few days before, feeding them well so they’re not hungry at the time of their operation and opting for a soft cone rather than a hard plastic one as this can be more comfortable for dogs. If you have the time, consider desensitising your dog to their recovery collar before surgery by letting them wear it around the house and on walks while rewarding them with treats or meals so they don’t see it as something they need to avoid.
When you get to the renowned veterinary in Mitcham, make sure you’ve fed your pet and taken them for a toilet break. Then, they’ll be admitted to the vet hospital and will receive a full health check and anaesthetic before their desex surgery can begin. A veterinary nurse will stay with your pet to make sure they don’t have any issues as they wake up, and they’ll usually be kept overnight to ensure they’re fully recovered
De-sexing pets reduces behavioural problems and is important for both male and female animals. It’s also a great way to prevent unwanted litters and prevent the risk of health complications such as tumours or illnesses that target reproductive organs in male and female dogs and cats.
Choosing a Veterinarian
Desexing is a major surgery, and putting pets under general anaesthesia can be scary for them. You want to work with a vet who will take good care of your pet throughout the procedure and recovery.
During the same anaesthetic, most veterinarians will also remove any retained deciduous teeth (baby teeth) from your dog or cat’s mouth. This reduces the risk of complications such as overgrowth of adult teeth, which can be painful and difficult to manage.
The recommendation is for most dogs and cats to be desexed before reaching sexual maturity, which occurs around six months of age. Desexing will prevent your pet from breeding and help to alleviate the problem of too many shelter animals.
In females, desexing will reduce the risks of mammary tumours and pyometra, which is a life-threatening condition in which the uterus becomes pus-filled. It will also decrease behavioural issues such as ‘mounting’ and urine marking.
In males, desexing will prevent testicular cancer, as well as behavioural issues such as mounting and aggression. In addition, the risk of prostate disease is reduced as is the likelihood of urinating blood. Pets are usually put on dissolvable skin sutures after desexing, however they will still need a checkup with vet hospital such as Elgar Road Vet (www.elgarvet.com.au) in 10-14 days to ensure the wound is healing well. In addition, you will need to prevent your pet from licking the area as this may cause pain and irritation.
Post-Operative Care
Desexing your pet can be an overwhelming process, but it is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. It prevents unwanted pregnancies in female dogs and cats, and helps to reduce behavioural problems such as aggression and wandering. It also protects against certain reproductive cancers and conditions.
During the desexing procedure, your dog or cat will be given a premedicant drug to relax and sedate them before they are put under general anaesthetic. The surgery will take up to a few hours, and your vet will remove their reproductive organs. Once your pet has recovered from the general anaesthetic, they will be returned home.
While your pet is recovering from their surgery, they will need to be kept in a quiet place away from other pets, children, and other distractions. They may seem sleepy or restless, and it’s normal for them to whimper or struggle to get comfortable. You may notice that they are drinking more water than usual, as they will be thirsty due to their anxiety.
If you are having your pet desexed, it is important to keep them in a crate or small area away from other pets and furniture. This will help them to avoid rubbing against anything that could irritate the surgical site, and it will allow them to recover more quickly. You should also encourage them to rest, and limit their activity so that they don’t strain the wound or cause any further harm.
Preventing Unwanted Pregnancies
Desexing your pet can prevent unwanted pregnancies, which can be very stressful for both pets and their owners. It also helps to deal with the overflow of homeless kittens and puppies that end up in animal shelters or are put down because they cannot find their forever homes. For female dogs, it also reduces their tendency to go into heat, which can lead them to escape from their home or yard and be hit by cars, often resulting in severe injuries or even death.
The decision to desex your dog can be a personal choice, but it is highly encouraged to help reduce indiscriminate breeding that leads to overflowing animal shelters and the euthanasia of otherwise loving animals. In addition, desexed male dogs can be less likely to mark their territory inside the house.
For cats, males who are not desexed can breed quickly, which results in a lot of unwanted litters that have to be raised and fed, which can be expensive. They can also become aggressive towards other males, which can lead to fights. Desexing male cats can eliminate this behaviour, as well as preventing testicular cancer and reducing behavioural problems like aggression, marking territories, and roaming.
For females, the risk of mammary tumours is reduced, as is their chance of pyometra (an infected and pus-filled uterus). However, it is important for females to be desexed after their first heat cycle, because it can cause them to have an inverted vulva that increases the risk of urinary tract infections and dermatitis.